Few cities layer history and pop culture quite like London. Roman walls, Tudor intrigue, and Victorian engineering set the stage for today’s creative capital—home to West End theater, tastemaking restaurants, and one of the world’s best museum scenes. From Westminster’s Gothic spires to futuristic City towers, London is a living timeline.

Expect world-famous attractions—Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s—and equally compelling neighborhoods: canal-side King’s Cross, pastel Notting Hill, and Shoreditch’s street art corridors. Food lovers can graze from Borough Market to Soho, sipping third-wave coffee one minute and a perfect pint the next.

Practical notes: contactless cards and Oyster work on all public transit; the Elizabeth line shrinks airport-to-city times; museums like the British Museum and National Gallery are free (special exhibits ticketed). Book major sights and theater in advance, and plan around occasional rail or tube strikes by checking service updates before you go.

London

London is a mosaic of historic boroughs stitched together by the Thames. Walkable clusters make it easy to pair big-ticket sights with local moments—think Changing of the Guard followed by a quiet meander in St. James’s Park, or Tower Bridge plus a Borough Market lunch.

Top highlights include the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the British Museum, Tate Modern, and the London Eye views from the South Bank. Balance the classics with modern draws like the Sky Garden, Coal Drops Yard, and the reinvented Battersea Power Station.

Dining runs the gamut: curries on Brick Lane, Sri Lankan hoppers in Soho, Italian small plates in King’s Cross, and destination bakeries everywhere. For pubs, aim for atmospheric stalwarts like The Harp in Covent Garden or The Churchill Arms in Kensington.

Where to Stay (curated picks + search):

• Iconic: The Savoy (on the Strand, for old-school glamour and a legendary American Bar).
• Great location for first-timers: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (steps from Big Ben and the South Bank).
• Value near major sights: Premier Inn London County Hall (unbeatable position by the London Eye).
• City base near the Tower: Novotel London Tower Bridge (walk to the Tower and the river).
• Budget/Kings Cross: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras.
• Hostel options: YHA London Central and YHA London St Pancras.
• Prefer an apartment? Search VRBO London or browse Hotels.com London.

Getting There and Around (bookable transport):

• Flights to/from Europe: compare routes and fares on Omio Flights.
• Trains in Europe (e.g., Eurostar to/from Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam): check schedules and prices on Omio Trains.
• Budget buses across Europe/UK: see Omio Buses.

Airport to city times: Heathrow to central via the Elizabeth line ~35–45 minutes; Gatwick Express to Victoria ~30 minutes; Stansted Express to Liverpool Street ~45–50 minutes; Luton Airport train to St Pancras ~35–45 minutes. Tap in/out with contactless for the best fares.

Day 1: South Bank Stroll, Covent Garden Flavor, and a Classic London Pub

Afternoon (arrival): Check in and stretch your legs along the Thames Path on the South Bank—walk from the London Eye toward the Tate Modern for postcard views of Big Ben, St. Paul’s, and the skyline. Coffee pick-me-up at WatchHouse Somerset House or Monmouth Coffee (Covent Garden) for perfectly roasted single-origin brews.

Evening: Dinner in Covent Garden. Try Dishoom (Bombay café classics like black daal and garlic naan), The Palomar (Jerusalem-influenced small plates—order the polenta “Jerusalem-style”), or Flat Iron (great-value steak; arrive early). Cap the night at Gordon’s Wine Bar, London’s candlelit cave, or The Harp, a CAMRA-loved real-ale pub.

Day 2: Royal Westminster, Parks, and the West End

Morning: Begin at Westminster Abbey—coronation site since 1066—then step outside for that perfect Big Ben shot. Time your walk up The Mall for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on scheduled days. For breakfast near Westminster, try Regency Cafe (art deco, full English) or Ole & Steen (Danish pastries).

Afternoon: Meander St. James’s Park to Trafalgar Square for the National Gallery (free). If you’re a history buff, book the Churchill War Rooms for a riveting WWII deep dive. Lunch ideas: The Wolseley (grand European brasserie), 45 Jermyn St (caviar to carbonara), or Franco’s (old-school Italian).

Evening: See a West End show (musicals in Theatreland). Pre-theater dining: J Sheekey (seafood), Barrafina (no-res tapas), or Hoppers (Sri Lankan). Post-show cocktail at The American Bar in The Savoy—a temple of classic mixology.

Day 3: Tower of London, Bridges, Borough Market, and a Thames Dinner Cruise

Morning: Beat the queues at the Tower. Book the Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket to explore the White Tower, hear Yeoman Warder tales, and see the regalia up close.

Afternoon: Cross photogenic Tower Bridge and continue along the Queen’s Walk to Borough Market. Snack your way through Kappacasein’s toasted cheese sandwiches, Bread Ahead doughnuts, and Ethiopian plates at Ethiopian Flavours. Coffee at Monmouth (Borough) or tea at Elliot’s.

Evening: Celebrate on the water with a classic London experience: London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River—a multi-course meal, live entertainment, and lit-up views of the Houses of Parliament, St. Paul’s, and Tower Bridge.

Day 4: South Kensington Museums, Hyde Park, and Notting Hill

Morning: Choose your museum: the V&A (design and decorative arts) or the Natural History Museum (don’t miss the Hintze Hall blue whale). Breakfast nearby at Brompton Food Market (garden cafe) or Gail’s Bakery for stellar croissants.

Afternoon: Stroll Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park; pop by Kensington Palace’s Sunken Garden. Shop Knightsbridge—Harrods Food Hall for edible souvenirs or Harvey Nichols for fashion. Lunch ideas: CERU (Levantine salads and dips), Macellaio RC (Liguria-meets-steakhouse), or Murger Han (hand-pulled noodles).

Evening: Head to Notting Hill. Browse Portobello Road antiques (best on Fridays/Saturdays) and dine at Gold (Mediterranean wood-fired plates), The Ledbury (if you’re splurging), or Sumi (sushi by Endo Kazutoshi). Nightcap at The Churchill Arms—Thai food and flowers galore.

Day 5: Harry Potter Day—Warner Bros. Studio Tour and King’s Cross

Make it magical with the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London. Round-trip luxury coach from central London delivers you to Leavesden to wander the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, and see the Hogwarts Express. Sip butterbeer and study the filmmaking craft—sets, props, and special effects that defined a generation.

Evening (back in town): Swing by King’s Cross for a cheeky Platform 9¾ photo. Dine at Coal Drops Yard: Dishoom King’s Cross (queue moves fast), Caravan (all-day plates and excellent coffee), or Lina Stores (fresh pasta). Finish with gelato at Ruby Violet or a negroni at Vermuteria.

Day 6: Day Trip—Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath

See quintessential England in one sweep on the Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch in Lacock. Depart London early for Windsor’s State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel, ponder the prehistoric mystery of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain, then admire Bath’s honeyed Georgian crescents and Roman Baths. Expect a full, guided day with a classic countryside pub stop.

Day 7: Shoreditch to Greenwich or Camden—Markets, Views, and Farewell Lunch

Morning: Coffee at Shoreditch’s Origin Coffee or Ozone. Wander the street art down Redchurch Street and around Brick Lane; grab a warm salt-beef bagel at Beigel Bake. If it’s Sunday, detour to Columbia Road Flower Market for blooms and buskers.

Afternoon (pre-departure options): Choose Greenwich for maritime history and skyline views from the Royal Observatory hill; browse Greenwich Market for crafts and global bites. Alternatively, head to Camden Market and stroll the Regent’s Canal to Primrose Hill for one last city panorama. Lunch ideas: Padella Shoreditch (silky pappardelle), Smoking Goat (Thai), or Manteca (nose-to-tail Italian).

Evening: Departure day—pick up goodies from Borough Market or Fortnum & Mason to take home. If time allows, toast your trip with a view at the Sky Garden (free but timed tickets) or a quick South Bank stroll.

Optional Add-Ons and Local Gems:

• Hop-on hop-off overview plus river cruise: Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour (flexible, family-friendly).
• Private black cab tour with a cabbie-guide for custom storytelling: The Premier Classic London: Private 4-Hour Tour in a Black Cab.

Insider tips: Reserve popular restaurants and the Sky Garden in advance; arrive at the Tower of London at opening to see the Crown Jewels with shorter waits; for theater deals, consider weekday matinees. Most restaurants add a 12.5% service charge—additional tipping is optional.

Wherever you stay—riverside Westminster, foodie Southwark, or connected King’s Cross—use the tube and frequent buses to save time, and keep a compact umbrella handy. London rewards walkers, so build in time to wander its mews, markets, and museum courtyards.

Bookable highlights in this itinerary:

• Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket
• London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River
• Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport
• Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath with Pub Lunch

In one week you’ll meet royal London, taste its markets, float past its landmarks, and slip into creative neighborhoods locals love. With a studio day for Potterheads and a countryside sampler, this itinerary balances icons with discoveries you’ll talk about for years.